Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was on my way to work headed south on I-69 in fort wayne, indiana. I had just passed the indiana state road 14 underpass when a semi truck tire and rim (the whole thing) came off a semi truck and rolled across three lanes of traffic where my Jeep hit it. It hit the front passenger side of my Jeep. Directly in the front but the right half of the bumper/front end. The tire then went under my car where it forced me to slide in to the cement median in the middle of the highway hitting my driver side front bumper at about 35 miles an hour or so. My airbags did not deploy.
Jeep developed communication issues, dash displayed "no bus." one morning I started the Jeep and went to shift to gear and the passenger air bag deployed. Took it up the road and back thinking I had a communication issue to diagnose, the drivers air bag deployed turning on my road. Seemed to happen when pressing the brake.I learned about the recall corrosion in air bag module May lead to inadvertent deployment. I dropped my vehicle off to nye Dodge Jeep Ram in oneida ny. Repair order was made nov 14th 2019. I was given a 1-800 number to call, placed 4 calls before my case was escalated correctly. Made numerous calls to the 800 number and eventually on 12/5 maybe 12/6 an inspector came and inspected my vehicle. With basically no progress after a month and a half I picked up my vehicle. …
Got in the vehicle to go to an appointment, and the airbag warning light was illuminated. Also, I no longer have cruise control, or the use of the horn. I was told by Chrysler that there May be a future recall on the clockspring mechanism that controls these items. I was also told that while it is highly unlikely, there is a chance that the airbag could inadvertently be deployed for no reason. I am still waiting for a recall to begin. The part to repair the car is over $250. I am still driving the car as I am on social security and can't afford the parts. My hope is that I don't have a Takata airbag on top of it all!!
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated for an extended period of time and the instrument cluster failed to work due to the gauges not functioning properly. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V105000 (air bags). The contact was unable to pass a vehicle inspection due to the failure. The vehicle was to be taken to a dealer for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Jeep Cherokee. While driving at any speed, the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.
Swerved vehicle to prevent hitting a child and caused loss of control which resulted in a frontal collision with a concrete culvert drainage. Vehicle was air born and fell on other side, and rolled over on all four sides, hitting another concrete culvert drainage. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Dealer / manufacturer were not notified at this time. Please feel free to provide us with any further details on this matter .
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer swirled in order to avoid a pedestrian and animal. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a ditch. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. A medical technician was on duty from the ambulance, and examined the driver, who was okay. The vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company.
Recall 00V105000 concerning air bag control module: recall repairs were performed on September 1, 2001. However, the problem recurred. Air bag light illuminated while vehicle was still in motion. Consumer believed this represented a recall remedy failure, and NHTSA should have looked into it again. . This report was presented by mr. Jack wyluda for the above consumer.
Vehicle was going 30-35mph and was involved in a head on collison hitting side driver's door of other vehicle. Upon impact, neither driver's or passenger's air bag deployed, causing consumer's head and face to hit windshield. Dealer was notified. Vehicle was totaled. Please provide more information.
Dt*: the contact stated the horn became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined a faulty clock switch caused the horn failure. The dealer ordered a replacement clock switch and will repair the vehicle when it arrives.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module and locate the new module on the top of the transmission tunnel.
Airbag complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 13% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-105 (sensor/control module-inactive, Apr 11, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Jeep Cherokee airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.